Dental Specialists is a ‘Team for Smiles,’ offering a wide scope of specialty services to treat routine and complex cases

A PRACTICE that was once devoted to orthodontic treatment for kids and teens has greatly extended its services, offering not only the latest in comfort and care for routine dentistry and cosmetic enhancement procedures, but an array of highly specialized services utilizing the latest technological advances as well.

The team at Dental Specialists, located on Merritt Island, is led by Paul Ouellette, D.D.S., M.S. A board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Ouellette has been treating patients in Brevard County for almost 40 years, and is one of the few implant-trained orthodontists in the U.S. as certified by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) MaxiCourse®. Two of Dr. Ouellette’s four children, Jonathan Ouellette, D.D.S. and Jason Ouellette, D.D.S., have recently joined his team, making Dental Specialists a true family practice.

Last year, the Ouellette family welcomed Patrick Williams, D.M.D., taking Dental Specialists to a whole new level in terms of specialized services and complex case management. With near 1,300 hours of continuing education – including the MCG/AAID MaxiCourse® and the Las Vegas Institute’s Advanced Esthetics and Neuromuscular programs – under his belt, Dr. Williams has expertise in many areas of dentistry including implant dentistry, periodontal surgery, oral surgery, endodontics and full-mouth rehabilitation.

With the addition of Dr. Williams and his vast knowledge and skill set, Dental Specialists has truly separated itself as a practice that offers all-encompassing dentistry under one roof. Couple this with the practice’s doctors’ and hygienists’ years of education, experience and commitment to stay on the forefront of the ever-changing field of dentistry, and it’s easy to understand why Dental Specialists is in a class of its own.

A TEAM APPROACH

“Dentistry has evolved such that traditional methods are fast becoming obsolete,” says Dr. Paul Ouellette. “It is our goal to listen to each patient’s wants and needs and devise a treatment plan that does not necessarily produce instant gratification, but we want to create a long-term resolution to those concerns and create a personal relationship that allows us to follow through with our commitment to care.”

That said, the team at Dental Specialists takes pride in thoroughly understanding each patient’s condition and utilizes a team approach to treatment that takes all aspects of dentistry into consideration.

“While patients may see different doctors in the practice for different procedures, we are all working together to provide the best end result. Our team is in constant communication, consulting with each other regarding a patient’s treatment and needs so no information is lost in translation, which could occur when visiting several different offices for several procedures,” explains Dr. Williams.

COMMITTED TO LEADING TECHNOLOGY

To help the team get to the root of a patient’s dental care, a diagnostic appointment to collect information occurs. At this phase, the team may recommend the employment of their 3D CBCT technology, which uses three-dimensional imaging data to diagnose and treat patients. This technology provides clear images of a patient’s teeth, roots, jaw and skull, helping to detect dental issues that may not be apparent using two-dimensional X-rays.

The 3D scan is significantly advantageous for Dr. Ouellette and Dr. Williams when determining a proper plan of care for complex orthodontic cases, especially those involving implants. The technology allows the doctors to thoroughly examine spacing, and guides the orthodontic phase of treatment to place adjacent teeth in ideal positions for proper implant placement.

As a permanent solution to tooth loss, either due to periodontal (gum) disease or other reasons, dental implants utilize an artificial tooth root to securely attach a natural-looking replacement tooth or bridge. Especially pertinent on the Space Coast with a high elderly population, implant-supported dentures offer a revolutionary alternative to traditional lower-level dentures, providing stability and comfort, thus boosting patient confidence.

“Sometimes within one to two patient visits, implants have the power to give patients the security of having their natural teeth back,” says Dr. Paul Ouellette. “Many comment that they can’t believe they didn’t do it sooner.”

Other cutting-edge technologies employed at Dental Specialists includes the FDA-approved LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure). In fact, Dr. Williams is one of a few doctors in Florida who has completed certification to use this technology which allows him to treat patients with periodontal disease using a minimally invasive laser (no cutting or stitching) that offers much less patient discomfort and significantly decreased recovery times. The practice also is known for its harvesting of plasma rich protein (PRP) and plasma rich fibrin (PRF) bioactive modifiers which improve surgical outcomes by accelerating the body’s natural wound-healing process. Using PRP and PRF, patients who undergo tooth removal, implant placement or any other dental surgery will experience healing at a five-to-seven-time faster rate, with no dry socket and less swelling.

In their constant quest for knowledge, both Dr. Paul Ouellette and Dr. Williams consult and share aspects of complicated cases with other doctors in the community, and also are known for performing monthly demonstrations of surgical procedures for doctors in training.

A COMPLEX CASE STUDY WITH LIFE-CHANGING RESULTS

Perhaps no one is more appreciative of the work of the team at Dental Specialists than Heather Bloom.

“Twenty years ago, when I used to ride horses, I was once hit in the mouth by a horse, fracturing the bone in my front teeth. But at the time, I didn’t know the fracture occurred,” explains Bloom, a hair stylist in Cocoa Beach.

Although Bloom had been to several dentists during the 10 years she was in pain, she never felt a sense of complete trust in these individuals, especially since her case involved the care of various specialists who tended to lack communication among one another. Upon being referred to Dental Specialists, however, everything changed.

“As soon as I walked in the door, I immediately felt comfortable and relieved that all my dental issues would be handled by one team. I gave myself over to them,” says Bloom. “It was a real relief to meet such a knowledgeable and confident group of people. I could finally relax.”

“Heather came into our office almost a year ago with discomfort in her front teeth which were exhibiting movement. Our 3D scan detected root resorption in her front teeth with root fractures, and a cyst had developed in two areas,” says Dr. Paul Ouellette.

“Her first phase of treatment was to remove the pathological factors by atraumatically extracting the damaged teeth and performing LANAP therapy for her gum disease. She was then bone grafted in the area where the cyst destroyed the bone,” he continues. There was a short period of orthodontic therapy to prepare ideal sites for two dental implants. Implants were placed after orthodontics and once Bloom’s gums obtained optimal health. The whole process lasted about 11 months.

Bloom is ecstatic; not only about her results, but also about the care she received from the entire team from the moment she walked in the door. “I can’t say enough,” she says. “They gave me my smile back. They gave me my laugh back. They gave me my confidence back.

“Besides giving me a gorgeous smile I can be proud of, the team really took the time to care about me and what was best for my smile,” continues Bloom. “Dental Specialists treated me like family and took care of me the same way.”